Imagine My Surprise – KBS

Founders is an established brewery recognized nation wide. Michiganders consider it to be one of Grand Rapids’ many treasures. Founders KBS Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout is a special beer only released once every spring. It’s cult following makes it a rare find without registering on a waitlist at the brewery or in store. This year I had done neither. After several failed attempts to find this gem locally I had come to terms with my loss. As it turns out I had accepted defeat too soon.

En route to a family get together I stopped at a small party store to purchase a six pack to share. At checkout I happened to comment on Founders beer and my disappointment in missing KBS. Knowing that larger stores had their shelves picked clean a week ago on opening day, I asked the cashier how quickly her stock had gone. Empathetically, she told me that their shelves too were picked clean, in fact only a few prepaid orders were left in back. I kindly thanked her. In seeing my disappointment she volunteered to take a quick inventory and headed to the stock room. Moments lated she reappeared, “Wouldn’t you know it, there’s two left. Do you want ’em?”